If summer is the time for doing, then fall is for the harvest, taking stock and making sure all is well for winter. 2011 has been especially kind to the Frame family, we've been able to get out and do many things we've had planned for years, but not been able to do. It seemed like every weekend Jen had something planned -- hiking, camping, a trip somewhere we've never been, an event, etc. Here are a few memories we haven't yet harvested on this blog.
We try and get out to Bear Lake once a year during Raspberry Days; the shakes are the best, and the jet-skis are great fun to drive on the lake. This year the water level had risen significantly and there was a lot less beach -- meaning that the remaining beaches were packed! We had to get up all the earlier to stake out a good spot. Little Miss loved the sand, and played in it all afternoon. We tried to get her to swim, but the cold lake acted as a deterrent, and she went back to dig in the sand with her new bucket and shovel. Jen, I think, liked the relaxation and sun the most. My favorite part was the fair food -- it's not every day I can get away with kettle corn and ice cream for dinner. At night we sat on the deck and watched lightning from the evening storms, Little Miss got so excited when she was able to see one.
The Utah County Fair was another event we were able to get to this year. Although it's not much, Little Miss enjoys the pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, and ponies. It seemed like every time you turned a corner there was someone with a mullet standing there to greet you. This was Jen and mine's favorite part -- maybe next year I'll grow one out and showoff my meat goat, I'd rock
Jen and I planned a trip that, in retrospect, we should have planned better because it could have ended very badly. We decided that we would visit Topaz Mountain and let Little Miss pick up some pretty rocks (one of her favorite pastimes as the dryer will attest). For those of you who have never been to Topaz Mountain, you drive for hours in the desert leaving behind cell phone coverage and the known civilized world. With poorly marked roads (don't trust Google Maps) you can get lost and die without anyone finding you for years. After a few tense moments, we did end up finding the right road and got out to look for rocks. Little Miss was so excited to look for topaz; she even helped drive the car down the road a bit -- to this day she begs to "drive like at Topaz Mountain". By the time we left we had a small bag of topaz, which look just like pieces of shattered laminated safety glass.
During conference in October, we made a trip to Maple Canyon to see the fall colors and get some family pictures. We were just a bit early as it wasn't quite at its prime, but ended up getting some good shots. When the leaves turn colors, I think it is one of the prettiest places in the state as it looks like flaming red lava pouring out from the towering conglomerate cliffs.
Little Miss loves amusement parks, so when Jen scored a pass to get us in various parks in the State we made off like bandits. We got out to Trafalga in Lehi where Little Miss could have spent all day on the air plane ride. Little Miss and I were able to get on little bumper boats and have a water fight with Jen -- we lost. We were also able to get out to Lagoon in Farmington. Little Miss was in heaven with all the rides. She could not wait to go on the train ride and see the lions, tigers, wolfs, panthers and other animals (I really hope the owners aren't from Ohio). Little Miss and I wore ourselves out and on the way home we completely zonked out -- Jen got some pretty good pictures; I'm pretty sure I could see a blurry billboard in the background of one of the pictures though; she was probably driving down the freeway and doing a photo shoot at the same time. You have nothing to fear with Idaho drivers.
Ole, Ole Ole Ole! We went to our first soccer game ever this year. Soccer fans are something else as I'm pretty sure they tried lighting the stadium, or each other, on fire. There were people dressed up with drums and horns. I would encourage anyone to go to a game, even if you don't know anything about soccer -- it was all Greek to me. We were able to score tickets to a suite, which was awesome; you can watch indoors on the bar, on the big screen from the couch, or stroll outside and watch the game from the balcony (but heaven forbid you do this). Little Miss and Jen loved it. I loved the pulled pork/cole slaw sandwiches -- and the occasional fight.
We had a great summer, and are a little sad to see it go. But I think we've got enough in stock to get us through the winter. We hope 2012 brings as much fun.